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Waymo is launching its first international expansion, bringing its autonomous vehicle technology to Tokyo, Japan, with testing starting in early 2025. This move follows successful operations in several US cities and marks a significant step in Waymo's global ambitions. The company will initially partner with Nihon Kotsu, a major Japanese taxi operator, utilizing their drivers to manually map key areas of Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. This data gathering phase is crucial for training Waymo's AI to navigate Tokyo's unique driving conditions, including left-hand traffic and dense urban environments.

Waymo's "road trip" program in Tokyo will extend for several quarters and incorporate local collaborations with community groups and government officials. The company will deploy its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles for this initiative. Concurrently, Waymo will simulate Tokyo's driving conditions on a closed test course in the U.S. to further enhance its autonomous technology and system. In addition, Waymo has partnered with the taxi app "GO", suggesting future plans for public robotaxi services in Tokyo.

References:

• Dataconomy - Waymo’s self-driving cars hit Tokyo streets in 2025 - 3d
• Tech Crawlr - Waymo will begin testing its autonomous vehicle technology in Tokyo in early 2025 - 3d
• www.engadget.com - Waymo will start testing its driverless cars in Tokyo next year - 3d

Classification:

• HashTags: AutonomousVehicles SelfDrivingCars Waymo
• Company: Waymo
• Target: Tokyo
• Attacker:
• Product: Robotaxis
• Feature: Autonomous Driving
• Type: AI
• Severity: Informative